Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa

Next date: Thursday, 22 October 2026 | 12:00 AM

Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa is a vibrant celebration of the Swiss Italian migrants who settled in the Hepburn Springs and Daylesford region during the 1850s gold rush. These Italian speakers, hailing from villages on both sides of the Swiss–Italian border, transformed a land of mutton, potatoes and beer by introducing salami, pasta, and wine.

They recognised the value of the region's mineral springs early on, and lobbied to protect them from gold prospectors. They built stone houses with cellars and wells, planted grapevines, olive trees and orchards, and even established Australia's first pasta factory in 1859 (which is still standing in Hepburn Springs today).

The Festa honours that that legacy of fine food, good wine, and the distinctive architecture that defines the egion. It's a lively mix of traditional and artisanal fare, parades, performances, art exhibitions, heritage tours, bocce tournaments, and fireworks. Local icons Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm and the Palais-Hepburn theatre host major events, while restaurants across the area serve special Festa menus.

First staged in 1993, the Festa has delighted the community for decades. In October, Hepburn will come alive once again – and everyone's invited.